PHOTO OF THE DAY

The first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket sailing into Port Canaveral, just three days after its launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station – and what a gorgeous sight it was – welcome back! (Port Canaveral image)

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The first stage of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket sailed into Port Canaveral, just three days after its launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 14 carrying the JCSAT-16 communications satellite for Tokyo’s SKY Perfect JSAT.

This satellite supports existing services in the Ku- and Ka-band for the Japanese market, enabling more stable satellite services.

With a minimal number of separation events and nine first-stage Merlin engines, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is designed so that even if two of the engines shut down, the rocket can still operate.

In 2012, SpaceX became the first commercial company to rendezvous with the International Space Station utilizing Falcon 9 and Dragon. Although these flights have not transported crew, SpaceX is working toward their goal of transporting astronauts to space in Crew Dragon.